Georgia Tech tosses Alabama into losers' bracket with 5-2 victory

Georgia Tech pitcher Deck McGuire held Alabama to two runs in eight innings to lead the top-seeded Yellow Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the Crimson Tide tonight before a sellout crowd at Russ Chandler Stadium.

McGuire outperformed Tide starter Jimmy Nelson, who allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings. Alabama's only offense was provided by Josh Rutledge, who hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

Second-seeded Alabama (38-23) must now win three consecutive games in the next two days to extend its season beyond this weekend's opening NCAA regional in Atlanta. Up first is Sunday's 2 p.m. meeting with fourth-seeded Mercer (38-23), which knocked No. 3 seed Elon out Saturday.

Should the Crimson Tide beat the Bears, it would again draw top-seeded Georgia Tech (47-13) needing back-to-back wins Sunday and Monday over the host school to win the regional.